Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders: 3 things to watch in Week 11
Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders: 3 things to watch in Week 11
Will either team have anything close to their starting offensive line?
Earlier this week the Chiefs announced they placed starting offensive tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz on the COVID-19/Reserve list as close contacts to another player who tested positive for the virus. This means that they could play on Sunday after following protocol but if they test positive would of course be held out.
This also means that they will not be able to practice with the team this week and would have to attend all team activities virtually.
The Raiders on the other hand ended Week 10’s game against Denver with a backup left tackle, backup left guard, and a practice squad player at right tackle so they have problems of their own. LT Kolton Miller was doubtful for the Week 10 game so it’s possible he returns this week and starting LG Richie Incognito has reportedly been close to returning for weeks now so he may play as well.
If both teams are down to a bunch of backups then the advantage in the passing game is with Kansas City considering the pass rushers they have and the success they have had this season with the sixth most pressures in the NFL. Against the Raiders in Week 5, the KC defense sacked Derek Carr just once but registered four hits and that was with all the starters on the offensive line minus Incognito.
The Raiders have taken a different approach with their offensive line injuries and dialed back the clock with an old school run-heavy offense and have had great success with it. In the previous game, the Raiders rushed for over 140 yards and that is a trend that should continue against KC’s fifth worst rush defense in terms of yards allowed.
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Regardless of who is lined up in front of each quarterback both teams will stick to their identities and find workarounds to maintain the success they’ve had this season, even with backup or third string offensive lineman. For the Raiders to win this game, they will need to control the clock and keep the explosive KC offense off the field and rolling out a fully healthy offensive line would be a great first step in achieving that.